BAGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed his dismay over the ongoing rehabilitation works at the Baguio Convention Center, citing several inconsistencies on the part of the contractor.
During the 110th Baguio Foundation Day ceremonies at the Baguio Convention Center, Magalong said the contractor of the rehabilitation had taken the city for granted.
"To be honest with you, I am not impressed! There are a lot of things that have to be done here. It might look nice to us but if we scrutinize this to the minute detail, you will be frustrated," Magalong said.
City stakeholders and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DWPH) have not been meeting eye to eye due to an impasse in work and plans for the convention center.
Confusion arose when the DPWH presented revised plans for the convention center signed by then Mayor Mauricio Domogan without blessings from neither the technical working group created by the City Government led by public works committee chairman Mylen Yaranon, and the City Building Administration Office (CBAO).
"It's about time that these contractors be answerable to the people. We have discussed this with the DPWH and other big ticket projects for the city and this time, we will make sure that these future contractors are credible contractors and not the fly by night contractors," Magalong said.
Yaranon, who conducted periodic inspection of rehabilitation works at the convention center earlier, pointed 60 percent accomplishment rate by the contractor prior to the celebration of the 110th founding anniversary of the city.
"I urge the community to come here, take a good look at the convention center and tell us what has to be done. Scrutinize what needs to be scrutinized so that we can give a lesson to these contractors that it's about time they do what is supposed to be expected from them," Magalong added.